Many boast of American exceptionalism, but give little regard towards thoughts of what it should be that makes a country exceptional. I often wonder if we’re really that exceptional at all.

I mean, what’s so exceptional about about a nation with a collapsing infrastructure or that most of the wealth is concentrated in the hands of the top one to two percent of its population while many are homeless, starving, illiterate or living without basic health care?

Maybe we should focus on promoting education, freedom of speech and religion, equal protection under law, care for the less fortunate and the basic concept that we are all Americans and Americans thrive when we look out for one another.

The United States isn’t exceptional just because a select few are exceptionally well off. It’s exceptional when everyone does their part to uplift the nation as a whole. This, of course, is just my humble opinion, but what do I know?

Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in this blog are the opinions of Chris James and do not reflect the opinions or views of any other Pioneer employees.

To contact Chris James, email pioneerphotog@occc.edu.